Writing an Author Bio
WWW #57 Writing an Author Bio
Whether you are writing your own query letter to submit your manuscript to a literary agent, or you are filling in answers on an agent’s query tracker form… there is always a need to have your author bio written and ready to go.
If you have written a book and now want to get it published, an author's bio is a key part of your query letter package that you will be sending to literary agents as you inquire for their representation. Your bio can be written in different ways and as everyone has a varied background from each other, there are many ways to go about this.
If you are new to my writing advice articles, I recommend reading my previous entries where I begin my discussion on the publishing world and traditional publishing. If this is your first time delving into this topic, I recommend these previous articles to help you catch up and learn the necessary lingo:
What is an Author’s Bio?
An author’s bio is a few sentences used to establish your credentials as a writer and to tell a little bit about yourself. You want this to be clear, concise, and informative. This is not the space to tell the entire story of how you came up with your book nor is it the space to talk up your skills and abilities. Tell them who you are, what you have accomplished, potentially a fun fact to provide a peek into your personality, and leave the rest up to your letter and the manuscript itself.
Can Anyone Write a Bio?
The most common question I get is, “how do I write a bio if I have not accomplished or published anything yet?” Getting published and developing a portfolio is one of the most important things you need to do as a writer, but everyone must start somewhere. Every single writer has, at one time, not been published yet. While having a portfolio will boost your letter, don’t underestimate the magic that can happen with a common connection through a fact about yourself, where you might have gone to school, or where you are from. These are the kind of facts that agents might connect with or remember after reading your letter.
Author Bio Examples
To show you the vast variety of what an author's bio can look like, I wanted to share some from my own collection of books. If you need more samples go online, go to your local library, go to the bookstore, and start opening books and reading their bios. This is honestly the best way to see how published authors present themselves and write about their own work.
Content of a Bio:
Here's a list of details that you might want to include in your bio. These will help you show off who you are as well as what your background is. If you cannot answer any of the questions on this list, that is okay! You do not need a degree or a cool job to write and publish a book. Don't let that hold you back and we can brainstorm some ways for you to create a special bio of your own.
Your name
Where you are from or currently reside
Titles of previously published works
Related schooling, degrees, and MFAs
Related work/ certifications
Awards or contests you have won
Writing organizations you are a member of
Nonfiction writers: your online presence/ audience
Fun fact
For example, if you find you are unable to answer the bulk of these questions because you are a new writer, come up with a fun fact to give you something to talk about. Here are some examples that use that fun fact to potentially connect with their readers or make the agents smile as they read their letter.
Your Name
Many writers use acronyms or pen names in their work. When you are reaching out to an agent for representation it is important to use your real name. This is because this is someone you may enter a legally binding contract with. Your pen name will be used for the book when it is published and for any media posts, but it should not be used in the official documentation and correspondence with your agent.
In short, do not put your pen name in your author bio in the query letter, unless you are stating that it is a pen name alongside your real name.
Things to Avoid
When writing your bio, it is good to be aware of ways you can make it not work for you or the agent.
Avoid complimenting or building up your own talents. Avoid saying, “Danni Lynn is a great writer based in the Midwest…” Let your content speak for you!
Edit for clean writing and to remove all errors. An error in your letter will mean there are many more in your manuscript.
Keep it one or two sentences. Unless you have a massive portfolio, you will want to keep it short. If you do have a huge portfolio, pick your top works instead of listing everything.
Conclusion
Overall, your bio is just one part of your query letter. If you are a fiction writer, your background and what you do matter a lot less when compared to the content of your manuscript. It is a good way to potentially connect and catch the literary agent’s attention. Remember, your manuscript is the most important item in this entire process. But after all the work you have put into it, make sure you take your time with your query letter and follow all the agent’s rules and processes to give your manuscript the chance it deserves.